Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Bacterial Isolates of Patients Attending the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed classes of medicines. It is estimated that about 50% of antibiotic use is inappropriate. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has contributed to the morbidity, mortality and increased healthcare cost resulting from treatment failures and longer hospital stay. However, antibiotic resistance can be controlled by appropriate measures. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity pattern of pathogenic bacteria to various antimicrobial compounds used in a resource limited setting in order to assist physicians in selecting treatment options for patients. METHODS: Faecal, urinary and wound swab specimens were collected from patients attending the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH) Jos, North Central Nigeria over a period of four months. Specimens were tested for bacterial culture and sensitivity using standard techniques. RESULTS: During the period of study, 379 faecal, 192 urinary and 195 wound specimens were tested. Significant growths of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 680 specimens. The commonest isolates were Salmonella (33.2%), S. aureus (31.5%) and E. coli (15.0%). The isolates were mostly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (75.4%), Augmentin (65.9%), cotrimoxazole (71.6 %), ampicillin (75.7%), ofloxacin (65.9%), cefuroxine (69.8%), :and Cloxacillin (70.4%) while lesser susceptibility was recorded for ceftazidine, gentamicin, and nitrofurantoin .Stool cultures showed significantly more growths than either urine or wound swabs (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: While salmonella is the most common faecal isolate, Staphylococcus. aureus and E. coli appear to be the most common wound and urinary isolates respectively in Jos. Thus, the results of this study should be of interest to the prescribing physician as a guide. BJM 2020; 2(l): 3-7.